Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or a few days weekly. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation choice.